Man-day Post: Jen’s Guy vs. The Urologist

Jennifer thought it had been a while since I posted and also, because some of you or even your husband’s might find what I have to share interesting about the particular topic I am writing about today. I have to admit, not much was available in this kind of a format for dudes like me. So maybe it will help someone somewhere.

I am going to warn you right now that some of this isn’t for the squeamish, and probably rates a bit PG-13ish. I’ll do my best to not delve too deep into the details.

So here we go, I’m getting “snipped”. I have four children, and I feel old. The thought of chasing another toddler around exhausts me. Our family planning has been a success and it is time to lock in our winnings. And this time I will be the one getting cut.

My lovely wife has suffered through four c-sections. Like a fool, I watched the first one in its entirety without retreating to the safety of the blanket shield. At one point I was expecting the doctor to say, “Can you put your finger here while I tie this off.?” The fact I didn’t pass out forever validates my man card. Understand that I have shot, gutted, skinned, hung from the swing set, and butchered my own deer (Jennifer no longer let’s me do any of that. Bambie affected her deeply as a child.) Anyway, all of that was like playing with tinker-toys compared to watching them cut on my wife to retrieve my children. She has definitely done her part. Now it’s my turn.

Don’t take this to mean that I am brave, I have definitely had my reservations. Here is how my first Doctor’s appointment went down:

After getting my referral, I went to see the urologist. I have always wondered what type of child dreams about being a urologist. I understand that they are needed and do good, but, still, those guys, and gals I suppose, earn their money.

The urology clinic was hard to find, tucked off the main road behind a ten foot hedge row like a CIA safe house. There were plenty of guys in there, none of us made eye contact, let alone spoke to one another. “So what are you in for?” is not an ice-breaker at the Supermax or the urology clinic. One guy brought his wife. Everyone else sat away from that guy.

After a few minutes a nurse took me back to a room and handed me two brochures. The second one had diagrams of the procedure. She left without explaining things. I was thankful.

After about 10 more minutes the doctor came in with his college-age looking, female intern, who is probably required in order to make the patient uncomfortable. “Ms. X is here to make sure everything gets recorded properly,” said the doctor with a practiced smile. Fortunately she sat down at the computer instead of producing an iphone with a tripod. Ms. X began typing, furiously. Nobody had said anything other than our introductions.

“The first thing we need to make sure of is that everyone is agreed about the procedure, and that you understand that this means that you are likely done having children.”

“I thought that was the point.”

“We just have to make sure you understand that this is likely forever.”

“You get a lot of guys thinking that they might be required to repopulate the Earth after an apocalypse?”

Doctor proceeds, “OK, I’m not going to lie. There are three points to this procedure that are going to be painful. The first is going to be when we make an incision in the center here to get at the tube coming from each testicle. The good news is that it is only one cut rather than the two we used to do.”

“There’s a pain killing shot, right?”

“Sort of. look, there is no delicate way of deadening things down there, so we use a topical numbing solution. It will burn.”

“Yes, once we make the incision we will need to pull the tube from each testicle toward the incision to cut and stitch the upper end. You will suffer intense pain for about 30 seconds each time. You will hate me for some time afterward.”

It becomes clearer that crazy masochists become urologists. Kids that grew up torturing small animals. I imagine him using the same metal hook that the dentist terrified him with as a child.

“Then you are done. We stitch you up and you go home to bruising and swelling for a few days. Make sure you take the next day at least off from work. No horseback riding!” Maybe not what he said, just what I heard.

“OK,” I said, braver than I felt.

“Oh a couple more things. First you will need to be tested for a few months after wards to make sure the procedure was effective. Don’t change your behavior until everything is confirmed.”

THAT was definitely news I didn’t know.

“Secondly, I need to know if you have had any hernia surgeries.”

Turns out that I had, as a toddler, It changed things, because evidently, surgery in the 70’s wasn’t as precise as today. Scars needed to be examined, teaching moments were provided to the intern, and I gained deep sympathy for the fact that many of you women have to see male gynecologists. A new game plan that took into account the old scarring tissue was put in place while I stood there mostly being ignored. I was a grateful for that. Fortunately things didn’t progress to the use of a Sharpie pen.

Ms X went back to typing, the doctor offered up more pamphlets, and any questions I had were immediately forgotten. Evidently I will need to check back once the final day of surgery can be reconciled with my work schedule and the family vacation.

I’m fully expecting science to make this whole process obsolete in about a year, because that would be about right.

Seriously though, in the overall scheme of things it is the least worst option and if anyone has legitimate questions, I would be happy to answer them. I may even answer the illegitimate questions too.

Also I am sure Jennifer will have a thing or two to share once the procedure is done and I am at home recuperating. I have already purchased a bell. . .

Comments

God bless you as my husband didn’t want to have this done and I ended up getting an IUD inserted after my second. But still look forward to the continuation of this and see how it all goes for you now.Janine Huldie recently posted…Easy Crockpot Chili The Perfect Leftover Lunch

Yep, you are young yet. There is still a chance you may not be done. I have actually talked to a few guys that have had this done and every single one said it was well worth it, and it makes life a lot easier. Interesting fact, the day before the NCAA Basketball Tournament is the most popular day to have the procedure.Jen’s Guy recently posted…Man-day Post: Jen’s Guy vs. The Urologist

You’re going to have Jen wait on you hand and foot? You’ve got a bell? You can walk you know. It’s a simple procedure. Not brain surgery. You crack me up. There isn’t much to this. Just take it easy for a few days.

I laughed through this entire post. Okay, I’m sure that was the point of this post.

I don’t go to the hospital. I tried to rub dirt and “effort through” three broken bones in my foot a year or two back. And the bell would be fair play as Jennifer will call me on my wireless from upstairs to get her a glass of water once she has settled into a good book in her bed.Jen’s Guy recently posted…Man-day Post: Jen’s Guy vs. The Urologist

Kudos to Ms. X for not providing an iPhone and tripod!
Kudos to you for having a bell! That won’t be annoying at all!
In all honesty, I appreciate the candor. My husband once asked me if he should get one and I said “no” because.. I’m not sure we’re done with two kids. I kinda want four. (how is that?? Insane?? Just kidding)
That said, I got an IUD and so far, so good. If I just have one (or not.. four kids) for the next 15 years or so until menopause, that will probably be ok. They’re not for everyone, and knowing our country’s history with female healthcare..Tamara recently posted…How I Honeymooned Your Father, Part VII: So Real

Heh, funny story, I have mutant blue eyes. I guess you can see the “cones” in my eyes perfectly with minimal magnification. Because of this, whenever I would get my eyes checked when I was younger, the eye doctor would go collect everyone in the clinic to come and look at the transparent eyed freak (or something like that.) It happened every darn time. I actually think they would schedule me so all of the optometry students could be there when I came.

You can imagine my anxiety when the doctor started calling over Ms. X to see the handywork of 1970’s hernia surgery as performed in rural Utah. I felt relieved the audience was somewhat limited.

I’m in negotiations with the DIscovery Channel for the video rights to the whole thing. Unfortunately they want to turn it into a reality hybrid with a Kardashian playing the part of Ms. X. I’m holding firm on keeping it real.Jen’s Guy recently posted…Man-day Post: Jen’s Guy vs. The Urologist

You sound exactly like my husband did when he had his surgery. I did not know Jen has had 4 c sections. I only made it through 2. But it was the years that followed that led me to insist Alan have surgery. Best of luck! You are doing a very kind thing, and I’m sure Jen appreciates it.

Yeah, guys are surprising sensitive about going under the knife. And yes, Jennifer suffered for her family, so my sacrifice isn’t all that big. She won’t have to watch the procedure either. . .Jen’s Guy recently posted…Man-day Post: Jen’s Guy vs. The Urologist

After hearing that, I don’t think I can ever ask my husband to get that done. At least after the c-section, I got to hold my precious little baby (well, 1 out of 3 times). We weren’t planning on that course of action in any case, but I commend you for being so brave. Ouch.

I’m still waiting for my husband to get snipped. He keeps putting it off. I told him I’m going off birth control at 40 and if we somehow get an “oopsie” baby, it’s his fault and he’s getting up with it at night.Amber recently posted…A Five Nights At Freddy’s Halloween Costume

Jen’s Guy, you have a gift at writing. (Did you pick this up from Jen?) Seriously, I love that you shared this story and kudos to you for taking one for the team. Four c-sections make your wife a seriously, hardcore superhero. I have faith you can get through this. I’m anxious to hear about your recovery and how many times you use that bell.

For the record, I once had to see a urologist. (I didn’t even know women required such.) Kidney stones…yeah, urologists do some pretty vicious things. LOL. Good luck and a high five from me!

Nah, I actually have an English Lit degree. I went to Community College for my actual job training. I actually already went through with the procedure, I guess I will need to write an update.

Jennifer had Kidney Stones, I’ll take the vasectomy all day over going through that, AND the C-section thing. . .

As far as the #showmeyours, that would require the 45 minute slideshow presentation of the procedure that we show to other couples when we have them over for dinner. Most just seem happy that at least we aren’t pitching them Amway. As long as the quality of the popcorn is good. . .Jen’s Guy recently posted…Thoughts On Joy And Dealing With The Big C

Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, there are male support groups for this type of thing, most of which I would have had no idea of how to find. But, theoretically, they exist. Guys aren’t normally in to talking about those sort of things. Most guys don’t have a blogger for a wife either, so. . .Jen’s Guy recently posted…Thoughts On Joy And Dealing With The Big C